Welcome! I’m Clarissa and I'm so glad you're exploring options for support. It can feel intimidating to reach out for the first time, or to find a new therapist, and I’d like to make it as comfortable as possible. Therapy can be hard work but it can also be fun and life-changing. Since it’s a collaborative process, let me share a bit about myself and why I love this work. Being a part of your journey is an honor, and I'm committed to creating a safe emotional space for you to be yourself while deepening your relationship to yourself. Learning about the experiences and beliefs that shape your life, offering hope, building new skills, and embracing all parts of our selves is a privilege. Therapy is a place where it is safe to take feel the feelings you may afraid of, to to get angry, to practice setting boundaries and being assertive, and to be vulnerable; to show up just as you are – all parts of you are welcome here.
Background, Education and Focus:
My undergraduate work focused on Psychology and Social Change and I received my Masters of Social Work from Rutgers University in 2017. For over 15 years, I have enjoyed working with a diverse range of clients in various settings, including families experiencing homelessness, children who have experienced abuse and neglect, adults impacted by severe mental illness, new parents, and children and teens who engage in high-risk behaviors. My commitment to ongoing education includes specialized training in trauma, LGBQIA+ and Trans-affirming practices, Neurodivergence and Internal Family Systems. I have completed Level Three in IFS Training with the IFS Institute and participate in additional training every year. Providing safe, inclusive, culturally-sensitive therapy is always my goal. If I am not the right fit for you, I will provide referrals to other therapists.
If you're curious about what Internal Family Systems therapy is, please copy and paste this link in your browser: https://insighttimer.com/drrichardschwartz/guided-meditations/introduction-to-ifs
Clarissa Harwell
LCSW